Back to school...

Yesterday was the first day of school.  Ben is a big 8th grader (his last year of middle school) and Sam is in 4th grade with the same teacher she had in Kindergartem (we are very excited about that)

This summer seemed to zoom by a little too quickly for my liking, but I have to admit I do like that fact that kids are back in school. 

We need some structure around here so it's a good thing. 

The start of school also means back to work for me. 

I do English testing for my old district and it allows me to make a little mad money without being tied down to a "real job". 

Plus it allows me the flexibility to volunteer at the kids' schools which is nice.

I hope your first day of school went well.

:0)

In the blink of an eye...

From this

to this

Saturday night was our 25th high school reunion. 

Still seems very weird to me. 

I was a Sr. class officer so I got to help plan the 10th.  It was a nightmare (the planning not the actual event) but I swore I would never plan another one.  We didn't go to our 20th, but the chick who planned it ran into the same problems we did with the 10th. 

Fast forward a few years and the introduction of Facebook (cue the angels singing)

Last summer the class of '86 hosted an informal get together at a local bar and I went.  It was fun and so much more relaxed than regular reunion.  When the question was asked "are we doing anything for our 25th?" I suggested we follow suit and keep it simple.  This time around all it took was a phone call to reserve space at the bar and a "be there or be square" post on FB. 

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy.

We had about 80 folks show up which was a nice size ~ made it easy to "work the room".  I'm hoping for the 30th (gulp) we have a few more folks show up, but keep it an easy going affair. 

After all it isn't about the fancy food or the screaming loud DJ. You go to catch up with folks who "knew you when..." and relive the good old days. 

It's all about feeling 17 again, even if it is for just one night every 5 years.

Are you ready for some football?

The Northeast Tacoma Tigers kicked of their 2012 season today.

Despite the HOT weather this week (legit HOT weather, like in the 90's hot weather, not wimpy W. WA it's over 75 and we are all dying hot weather) today's game was played under overcast skies and in the mild high 60's.

Perfect football weather.

Unfortunately our first game was against last year's league champs.  Um, yeah...

The good news is we weren't shut out and there is nowhere to go but up. 

Despite the today's loss, this is the best team we have fielded so far.

(this is only the 3rd year of the program and they have come a long way in those three years)

Just look at the determination in these faces. 

GO TIGERS!!

:0)

Get Lucky

This weekend I headed over to the Gorge in George for a little 80's rocking.

Journey, Pat Benatar and Loverboy was a triple bill that was just too good to pass up.

I met up with my brother and his wife in Ellensburg where I went to College at CWU. 

If Boeing ever opened a Ellensburg branch I would pack up and go in a heartbeat.  The town is small, kind of quirky but it is the cute houses and almost constant sunshine  gets me every time. 

One of the best parts of Ellensburg is a little watering hole called The Tav. 

Besides being the first stop whenever you went out, it is also the home to the Super Mother (the world's perfect burger) I don't know what they do do it or if they cook it a special way, but it is my all time favorite burger and even though it was 20 years since my last one (gulp) it tasted just like I remembered it ~ awesome. 

Of course I had to wash it down with a Raindog (that's Rainier beer for those outside of Washington) for old times sake.  After lunch it was off to the campground.

We decided to stay at the Wild Horse Campground which a couple of miles from the venue. They  also provide a shuttle to the show which meant not having to deal with parking.  Woo Hoo!!

Of course the shuttles were packed, loud and most of the riders were a bit tipsy but it wasn't a long drive so it was okay.

The venue itself is pretty stunning.  Right on the Columbia River.  The sun was out and you couldn't have asked for a more perfect night.

After my VanHalen experience I was a little leery, but all the bands sounded amazing, especially Loverboy.

Oh Mike Reno, I love his voice.  Personally, I think Loverboy sounded the best out of the three bands and I was a little bummed they only played a 30 minute set (altho not a bad gig if you are Loverboy) However, I will definitely be going to see them the next time they play in town. 

For those of you who are curious about the "Asian Steve Perry" I have to say he sounded pretty good.  On most songs he was practically drowned out by the 20,000 folks singing along.

Overall, the weekend was a blast.  It makes me want to get out see other bands (especially if it means more super mothers)

:0)

43

Yesterday, I kicked off my 43rd year.

It always seemed like my birthday signaled the beginning of the end of summer. 

However, this year, summer just started so I feel I've been in a bit of time warp.

Bottom line summer is cruising by way too fast for my liking.

That being said, it has been a pretty busy summer so maybe that has something to do with it.

For my birthday my little brother and his wife got me a ticket to the Loverboy, Pat Benatar and Journey show next week. 

Loverboy was my first concert at the very mature age of 13 (it was also a birthday present)

This show will be at the Gorge in George. 

The last time I was there was in was in '94 for Lollapalooza. 

Can't wait

:0)

Mom Prom

So Blossom '12 was pretty fun. 

Of course the highlight of the evening was when they killed the lights and cranked the tunes.  Nothing like a bunch of "girls" huddled on the dance floor.

Let's just say the DJ had our number and when Jessie's Girl started up everyone lost it.

:0)

Girls Night

Tonight I'm going out with some friends to support another friend and her benefit. 

It is always fun, it is always for a great cause and it is always interesting.

Even though Tacoma is one of the largest cities in Washington, "up on the hill" we are very small town, a little Knott's Landing if you will.  I'm sure all communities are like that to some degree. 

Tonight the women of our community will come together to "connect, contribute and celebrate" along with all the wine they can chug sip. 

I'm sure it will be fun, it always is. 

I'm sure I will see lots of folks I know, I always do. 

I'm sure I will feel silly for being anxious, I always am. 

What is it about a room full of women (who are 99% very sweet ~ altho there is always that 1%, meow) that is so intimidating?  It isn't just me, I've heard that from a lot of folks.  I find it ironic that a night designed to celebrate woman is stressing them out.

I guess that is why they serve so much wine :0)